Utah Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf ruled on Monday that Tyler Robinson, the alleged assassin of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, can wear plain clothes in court.
Robinson requested that he be granted the privilege of wearing normal clothing and of not being restrained during pre-trial hearings. While Graf granted the first part of the request, he denied Robinson’s wish to not be restrained due to the nature of the charges against him.
“The defendant’s request to appear in civilian clothing for all pre-trial proceedings is granted,” Graf said. “Defense counsel is directed to coordinate with the jail to ensure that this order is implemented and the court further orders that if the clothing be provided 72 hours prior to any hearing.”
Graf then addressed the restraints request, in which Robinson argued that restraints “undermine his dignity” and interfere with his ability to talk with his defense attorneys. (RELATED: ‘Furry Shades Of Gay’: Kirk Suspect Frothed Over Beastly Porn Game Promising ‘Hot Gay Sex And Slapstick Humor’)
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“Mr. Robinson also requests to appear unrestrained during pre-trial proceedings,” Graf said. “He argues that visible restraints would prejudice potential jurors, undermine his dignity, and interfere with his ability to communicate with counsel. Rule 3-414 sub (9)(c) of the Utah Rules of Judicial Administration requires that all in custody defendants be restrained unless otherwise ordered by the court.”
“The court recognizes that Mr. Robinson has no criminal history and no record of misconduct while in custody. However, the charges he faces are extraordinarily serious, carrying potential penalties of life imprisonment or death. The safety of Mr. Robinson, the attorneys, court staff, and the public must remain the court’s highest priority,” the judge continued.
Robinson was scheduled to appear for his next pre-trial hearing on Thursday, though Graf confirmed that the attorneys had agreed to cancel the hearing. The next hearing has been rescheduled for Jan.16, 2026.
Graf further ruled that the media will not be allowed to photograph Robinson as he enters or leaves the courtroom and images of him in restraints are banned.
Robinson turned himself in to authorities on Sept. 12 in the midst of a two-day manhunt. His parents confronted Robinson after they recognized him in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) security footage photographs that were released to the public. Robinson then confessed to his father and threatened to commit suicide, which prompted his father to call a youth pastor who had formerly been a U.S. Marshal.
The alleged assassin agreed to turn himself in at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where he waited for about two hours before federal agents arrived, Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby confirmed on Sept. 18.
The suspect’s parents told authorities that Robinson had been more political in recent years, particularly becoming “more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” Robinson lived with his transgender boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, who reportedly “hates conservatives and Christians,” according to the New York Post.
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